The Delta independent., 1887-05-10

turn, but he is none the less charmed
with the centre of the earthquakes and
its people. To some Of the party Char
lesion was an old acquaintance, but
with the Post master General, Secretary
of the Treasury, and Senator Voorhees,
it was a first visit, and they fell fairly
in love with the delicious atmosphere,
royal hospitality and fine people of the
old city. Mr.. Villas remarked that he
was prepared to find very superior poo
pie in that aristocratic old southern
stronghold, but that he WAS quite sur
prised to find such a general high tone
prevailing among a large portion of the
population. Equally delighted with
The National Capital will be the
THOUSANDS OF VISITORS
who will flock here during the present
month. OF course, these crowds of
strangers from every part of the
United States will expect he hospitable
favors such AS were heaped in profu-
sion on the distinguished Charleston
guests. They will have to look out
sharply for their own breakfasts and
lunches and dinners and beds. but they
" ill see the most beautiful city in the
world in the month of flowers, and
they can have "a glorious time in many
ways, for Washington is more than "a
thing of beauty" t is by far the most
interesting city in America. as well.
1t is TO be regret ed that the elevator in
the Washington monument will not be
in active operation during the national
drill. when 80 many sight-seers will be
in the city. but instead of being lifted
rapidly through the shaft they will be
compelled to tramp up and down five
hundred feet of iron stairway by the
light of candles held by themselves.
The arrangements are complete for
lighting the interior of the monument
with seventy-five incandescent electric
lights. with which the effect il very
striking. The electric lighting plant
was provided for by the appropriation
for completing the monument, as was
also the elevator, but there is need of
more legislation and another appropri-
alton before either can be put ii.to
regular operation. The moument was
lighted at its dedication, but few per-
sons knew it, as but few enl cred the
monument on that occasion. SiLce
it has only been lighted for testing pur-
poses, and once when in honor of
MRS. CLEVELAND.
who made a trip to the top. The lights
are at the stairway landings. and are
fastened to brackets extending from
the iron framework in the centre of
the shaft. The effect is very striking
as one looks up the shaft from the
bottom and sees these brilliant lights
on alternate sides, extending all the
way to the top. and brilliantly illumi-
mating the entire interior of the struc-
ture. Workmen have placed the me-
mortal stones in the panels prepared
for them in the interior of the monu-
ment. all the way up, and the Inscrip-
tions on them show with perfect dis
tinctness in the electric lights, When
some of the cement was taken out in
fitting in some of these stones, it was
found to be AS solid as the marble sur
rounding it. Curiosity seekers think
they ought not leave Washington with
out having been to the top Of the high
est structure in the world built by the
bands of men. and although the past
winter was unusually inclement and
unsuitable for such an excursion. about
two thousand people trudged up the
winding stairway to its dizzy height
during each month. They have been
very busy at the national museum dur
ing the week trying TO get the
GRANT RELICS
placed on exhibition before the national
drill begins. The task is nearly com
pleted, and the cases already exhibited
have attracted much notice. Five cases
will contain the whole collection ex-
cept the paintings and large objects
which cannot be put into cases. Many
Of these articles are souvenirs of Gen.
Grants trip around the world. There
is splendid collection Of old Japanese
coins OF huge size valued at 5000.
There are swords. gold-headed canes,
caskets. mrdalliOns, rare woods. silver
plate and sparkling gems which vie
with each other to attract the eye.
There are invitation cards. menu cards
reminders of entertainments given in
his honor. embossed on gold plates.
One invitation to a In;lsked ball given
at San Francisco, upon Gen. Grants
arrival in that city. on his return from
his famous tour, is engraved on solid
gold. and was enclosed in silver en-
veiope with the address engraved upon
il; in the right hand corner is Il two
cent stamp, and on the lef', the usual
"it not delivered in ten days return to-
etc. There Is u casket carved from the
wood Of Shakspeare's mulberry tree,
and many other articles that have y
value by association.